McCain leads both Dems in new Nev. poll

LAS VEGAS-Ariz. Sen. John McCain is leading both N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Ill. Sen. Barack Obama among likely Nevada voters, according to a poll released Wednesday by Rasmussen Reports. The poll of 500 likely voters, conducted by phone Apr. 21, gives McCain an 11 point edge over Clinton, 49 to 38 percent, and a 5 point edge over Obama, 48 to 43 percent.

McCain's showing is an improvement on earlier polls by Rasmussen. Last month Clinton led McCain by 1 percent, and Obama held a 4 percent lead.

Both Democrats' favorability ratings declined since March, with Clinton's going from 49 percent down to 42. Obama, who had held a majority positive rating of 53 percent, is now viewed very or somewhat favorably by 47 percent. McCain, meanwhile, experienced an increase in favorability. In last month's poll he was viewed favorably by 49 percent. This month that number is 56 percent.

The poll also showed that the economy is likely to be the top issue going into the 2008 election. 40 percent of Nevadans said the economy was the top issue, followed by the war in Iraq and immigration, both at 18 percent.

Nevada is widely considered to be a swing state for the 2008 election. It has five electoral votes.

You can see the full results of the poll here.